Evangeline Williamson

Casting

The role was originated on February 25, 2003 by Renee Elise Goldsberry, who appeared onscreen continually until May 18, 2007.

Storyline

Attorney Evangeline Williamson arrived in fictional Llanview in 2003 as the attorney for con man Mitch Laurence (Roscoe Born), and later for R. J. Gannon's (Timothy Stickney) daughter Keri Reynolds (Sherri Saum) during her child custody dispute with Antonio Vega (Kamar de los Reyes). She soon begins dating club owner and former criminal R. J.; they begin having a series of spats over Evangeline's focus on her work and her closeness with Police Lieutenant John McBain (Michael Easton). She and R. J. eventually split after Evangeline and McBain succumb to passion and made love in a client's basement. Evangeline also develops a close friendship with R. J.'s former sister-in-law, attorney Nora Buchanan (Hillary B. Smith). Evangeline enters into a romantic relationship with John in which they proclaim there are "no strings attached." However, Evangeline eventually realizes that she wants more of a commitment. She tells John that she loves him, but a conflicted John is unable to reciprocate due to the demons of his past and his unresolved feelings for Natalie Buchanan (Melissa Archer). Wanting different things, Evangeline breaks it off.

Evangeline's younger sister Layla (Tika Sumpter), an aspiring actress, comes to town in 2005. Later, Evangeline helps free artist Cristian Vega (David Fumero) from an unjust conviction to Death Row. Their close friendship turns to romance. During a tornado, Evangeline is blinded, and Cristian helps her through months of rehabilitation, during which time their love blossoms.

As his attorney and unlikely friend, Evangeline stands by town bad boy Todd Manning (Trevor St. John) when he is framed for murder by the nefarious Dr. Spencer Truman (Paul Satterfield). Todd takes a pro-active role in saving Evangeline's eyesight, believing her to be the only true friend he has left in Llanview after his own brush with a death sentence. Todd interferes in Cristian and Evangeline's burgeoning relationship and, over time, insinuates that he has his own romantic intentions. Evangeline is unsure, and believes Todd is simply trying to avoid his mixed feelings for his own on-again off-again ex-wife, Blair Cramer (Kassie DePaiva). Cristian, meanwhile, is put off by Todd and Evangeline's closeness, and by Todd's disrespect for his own relationship with Evangeline. During his search for his long-lost son, Todd is led to believe his child had died, and in an emotional moment, kisses Evangeline. Evangeline admits to Cristian that she had kissed Todd, and Cristian breaks it off.

Months later, Cristian and Evangeline repair their friendship, while Evangeline remains close to Todd. Evangeline and Cristian are separately targeted by the white supremacist group "One Pure People," and both are gassed at Cristian's loft. Evangeline lapses into a coma, ultimately transferred out of town to a critical care facility.

On December 17, 2007, Evangeline's mother Lisa Williamson (Janet Hubert) moves her back to the family home in Silver Spring, Maryland. Cristian, still struggling with his unresolved feelings for Evangeline, visits her, hoping to find closure. After making his peace with Evangeline, Cristian asks her for a sign that he should move on with his life. Cristian gets his answer when the comatose Evangeline's hand slips from his grasp. On July 9, Cristian and Layla visit to announce their engagement and learn that Evangeline is back in the hospital. On July 26, 2010 Evangeline died after being taken off life support.

Impact

Goldsberry was nominated for two consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for the role in 2006 and 2007. She was also nominated for two NAACP Image Awards for Best Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2004 and 2007.